US import prices increased by 0.1%

Import prices rose 0.1 percent in December following 0.8-percent advances in 2 of the previous 3 months. The index has not recorded a monthly decline since falling 0.2 percent in July. Prices for U.S imports increased 3.0 percent in 2017, after advancing 1.9 percent the previous year. The advance in 2017 was the largest calendar-year increase since import prices rose 8.5 percent in 2011.

JOLTS Job Openings little changed in November

The number of job openings was little changed at 5.9 million on the last business day of November, the  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the month, hires and separations were little  changed at 5.5 million and 5.2 million, respectively.

USD - Major events in the week ahead

Events that marked the week:

On Wednesday ISM Manufacturing PMI figures were published. The December PMI registered 59.7 percent, an increase of 1.5 percentage points from the November reading of 58.2 percent. Comments from the panel reflect expanding business conditions, with new orders and production leading gains; employment expanding at a slower rate; order backlogs expanding at a faster rate; and export orders and imports continuing to grow in December. Supplier deliveries continued to slow (improving) at a faster rate, and inventories continued to contract at a slower rate during the period. Price increases continued at a faster rate. The Customers’ Inventories Index declined and remains at low levels.

ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI fell to 55.9

The NMI registered 55.9 percent, which is 1.5 percentage points lower than the November reading of 57.4 percent. This represents continued growth in the non-manufacturing sector at a slower rate. The Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index decreased to 57.3 percent, 4.1 percentage points lower than the November reading of 61.4 percent, reflecting growth for the 101st consecutive month, at a slower rate in December. The New Orders Index registered 54.3 percent, 4.4 percentage points lower than the reading of 58.7 percent in November. The Employment Index increased 1 percentage point in December to 56.3 percent from the November reading of 55.3 percent.